In Such Poor Health I Was Unable to Walk When a Man Virtually Carried Me to a Restroom.

During my 19 years old, my regular journey to work meant taking an express bus. It was perpetually crowded and would always be completely full once I got on.

One particular morning, I started experiencing terribly ill when the coach swayed around every turn. I continuously reassured myself to endure for a few more stops until the bus got to my destination, so I could then sprint quickly for the nearest public toilet to vomit.

The bus was approaching the street towards my stop and it dawned on me I wasn’t going to make it. In an instant, it felt as if a curtain fell over me. My vision turned blank and silent; similar to when one cut the sound. I said to myself, “I will lose consciousness”.

Fortunately, I stood near the front on the bus, so I managed several steps toward the driver and requested that the driver to pull over, explaining to him that I was about to vomit. The driver opened the doors and I stumbled out on to the pavement.

My intention was not to vomit in front of a busy multi-lane road, so I gathered myself and endeavored to walk across to the park on the other side, thinking I could it would allow me to secretly conceal myself near some foliage to throw up. Yet I apparently blacked out. I could feel my body but I was unable to walk or see clearly, so I started crawling towards my intended destination.

“Everything alright, love?”

At that moment, someone picked me up. I sensed a strong arm supporting me and heard a man say, “You right, love?” I managed to tell the unknown man that I needed to vomit. Thus, he practically helped me walk over to a nearby building and guided me inside the women’s restroom. He asked me if I needed him to remain with me but I said no.

After a short while, I regained my composure to the point of sitting on the restroom floor when from beyond the stall I heard his voice asking, “Do you need anything, love? Do you need anything?” I wasn’t able to rise at that moment but I did succeed to express my gratitude and following a brief period was able to move my feet. I made my way home and spent several days recovering from which was a horrible case of gastroenteritis.

I never saw that man’s face – just his lower half and the big metal toolbox he held – but he saved me, when I was at my most vulnerable.

Often this world can make you guarded, hostile, and combative. His was the sort of gesture that melts away that emotional callousness. He was proof that our default setting leans toward compassion, a trait I cherish in other people.